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The 2011 Mini Countryman is the latest addition to this brand’s lineup. Countryman is Mini’s first vehicle sold in the United States that has 4 full-size doors. It’s also the first to offer all-wheel drive. This wagon is a compact SUV that seats 4 and comes in Base and high-performance S models. All have front-wheel drive. Mini’s new “ALL4″ AWD is available on the S. Base versions have a 120-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. S models have a 180-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, and a 6-speed automatic is optional. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. The Countryman’s rear seats can slide fore and aft up to 5 inches to benefit passenger or cargo room. Instead of a center console, Countryman has Mini’s “Center Rail” storage system, which extends through the front and rear passenger compartments.

Center Rail includes several removable storage bins, as well as cables for passengers to connect cell phones and MP3 players. Among the available features are a sport suspension, dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and adaptive xenon headlights. Also offered are several dealer-installed dress-up accessories. Note that Mini is owned by BMW, and these vehicles will be sold at most major-market BMW dealers. We have not yet tested the 2011 Mini Countryman.

The 2009 Mini Cooper convertible is redesigned, and new, high-performance models join this sporty car’s lineup. The Mini Cooper comes in two hatchback and one convertible body styles. The Clubman is an extended-wheelbase version of the hatchback. The redesign of the 2009 Mini Cooper convertible brings its basic design and powertrain in line with the hatchback and Clubman. The Clubman has a rear-hinged half-door aft of the passenger-side front door and two rear “barn doors” instead of a lift-up hatch.

All Coopers come in base and S models, all with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. Base hatchbacks, convertibles, and Clubmans have 118 hp. S versions of all body styles are turbocharged and have 172 hp. This engine replaces a 168-hp supercharged engine found in the previous convertible. All Coopers offer a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Newly available is the John Cooper Works model, which use a 208-hp version of the turbocharged engine.

It has a mandatory 6-speed manual transmission, high-performance brakes, a performance suspension, specific exhaust tuning, and 17-inch wheels. Available safety features on all models include ABS, traction control, and an antiskid system. Hatchbacks and Clubmans come with front side airbags and curtain side airbags.

Convertibles have front side airbags that provide head and torso protection along with a pop-up rear roll bar. Convertibles also have a power fabric top with a heated-glass rear window and a “sunroof” mode that opens the top above the front seats; in addition to the standard black, it’s newly offered in brown and blue. A wireless cell-phone link is available on all models. BMW owns Mini, and Coopers are sold at most major-market BMW dealers.

The 2010 Mini Cooper is largely unchanged. The Mini Cooper comes as a 2-door hatchback, as well as a 2-door convertible. Also offered is a 3-door wagon called the Clubman (see separate report). Coopers come in base and S models, all with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. Base versions have 118 horsepower. S models are turbocharged and have 172 horsepower. All offer a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

The John Cooper Works version is a high-performance Cooper that uses a 208-horsepower version of the turbocharged engine. It has a mandatory 6-speed manual transmission, performance brakes, a performance suspension, specific exhaust tuning, and 17-inch wheels. Available safety features on all models include ABS, traction control, and an antiskid system. Hatchbacks have front side airbags and curtain-side airbags.

Convertibles have front-side airbags that provide head and torso protection along with a pop-up rear roll bar. Convertibles also have a power fabric top with a heated-glass rear window and a “sunroof” mode that opens the top above the front seats; in addition to the standard black, it’s newly offered in brown and blue. A wireless cell-phone link and assorted personalization options are available on all models. BMW owns Mini, and Coopers are sold at most major-market BMW dealers.

The 2010 Mini Clubman is largely unchanged. This wagon is an extended-wheelbase version of the Mini Cooper hatchback (see separate report). The Clubman has a rear-hinged half-door aft of the passenger-side front door and two rear “barn doors” instead of a lift-up hatch. Base and S models are offered, each with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Base models have 118 horsepower. S versions are turbocharged and have 172 horsepower. All offer a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. The John Cooper Works version uses a 208-horsepower version of the turbocharged engine. It has a mandatory 6-speed manual transmission, high-performance brakes, a performance suspension, specific exhaust tuning, and 17-inch wheels.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. A wireless cell-phone link, navigation system, heated front seats, and assorted personalization options are available on all models. BMW owns Mini, and Clubmans are sold at most major-market BMW dealers.